Donate
Donate

Table of Contents

Resources

Navigating Care in Japan

Mammogram & Screening

Self-Check Guide

What to Expect From a Mammogram

A mammogram is a routine breast X-ray that plays a vital role in the early detection of breast cancer. Knowing what to expect can help you feel prepared and at ease.

Before Your Appointment

Scheduling:
Mammograms are best scheduled when your breasts are least tender—often one week after your period.

What to Wear:
Choose a two-piece outfit. You’ll be asked to undress from the waist up.

Avoid Products:
Do not apply deodorant, perfume, lotion, or powder on your chest or underarms, as these can appear on the X-ray.

Bring Prior Images:
If you’ve had mammograms before, bringing previous images helps radiologists compare changes over time.

During the Mammogram

Positioning:
A trained technologist will position one breast at a time on the mammography machine.

Compression:
The breast is gently compressed for a few seconds to spread the tissue evenly and capture clear images. This may feel uncomfortable, but is usually not painful.

Imaging:
Usually, two images are taken of each breast. The entire process typically takes about 15–20 minutes.

After the Mammogram

Immediate Activities:
You can return to normal activities right away.

Results:
A radiologist will review the images. Results are usually shared within a few days to a week.

Follow-Up:
If anything unclear is seen, you may be asked to return for additional imaging. This is common and does not necessarily mean cancer.

A Closing Message

Mammograms can detect changes in breast tissue years before a lump can be felt.

Early detection often means more treatment options and better outcomes.

If you have concerns about discomfort, breast density, or screening frequency, speak with your healthcare provider—they can help tailor screening to your individual needs.

Regular screening saves lives. A mammogram is a small step that can make a life-changing difference.

This site is registered on wpml.org as a development site. Switch to a production site key to remove this banner.